Leader block for storage tape media

ABSTRACT

A leader block is provided for connection to a free end of storage tape media. The leader block includes a main body and a clamp member. The main body and clamp member define a space for receiving the free end of the storage tape media. A punch member is joined to the clamp member. The main body, the clamp member and the punch member are parts of a single, integral device that is preferably made by molding. After the storage tape media is inserted into the receiving space between the main body and the clamp member, the clamp member is caused to move relative to the main body by applying sufficient, predetermined shear forces. The punch member is also caused to move relative to the clamp member. The storage tape media is sandwiched between the main body and the clamp member using forces provided by the punch member and clamping forces caused by the main body and the clamp member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clamping an intermediate member to adevice and, in particular, to a single piece leader block for clampingstorage tape media that is connected to a tape cartridge assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tape cartridges containing wound tape commonly have a leader blockconnected to a free end of the tape located outside of the cartridgehousing. The leader block is used in connecting the tape to anothermechanism for subsequent use in writing on or reading from the tape. Theleader block must be connected in some manner to the tape. Typicalleader blocks include two separate pieces. In one implementation, achannel is formed in a leader block body. The free end of the tape ispositioned in the channel. A pin is then wedged into the channel to holdthe tape in the channel. In a second implementation, a leader block bodyincludes a slot having a rib extending outwardly throughout the lengthof the slot. The free end of the tape has portions that are positionedin this slot. A male member having a slit along its length is thenpositioned in the slot so that the rib is inserted into the slit. Thewedge fit between the male member and the slot, as well as the rib andthe slit, act to secure the tape to the leader block.

Despite the variously configured leader blocks, it would be advantageousto provide a one-piece leader block that can be easily manipulated toconnect the free end of the tape to the leader block. Relatedly, itwould be desirable to facilitate relative movement between parts of theintegral leader block in order to securely hold tape to the leaderblock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an integral, one-piece deviceis disclosed for securing an intermediate member thereto, such as thefree end of storage tape media. The tape media is preferably connectedto a tape cartridge assembly and the tape cartridge assembly acts as astorage medium. That is, the tape cartridge assembly is a storage mediumfrom which data can be read from and written to.

The device of the present invention includes a main body and a clampmember. The main body and the clamp member are arranged to define areceiving space. This space is intended to receive the intermediatemember that is to be connected to the device. A punch member is joinedto the clamp body and is movable relative thereto upon application ofsufficient force. The main body, the clamp member and the punch memberare preferably integrally formed by a molding process. The molded devicehas predetermined force relationships between the main body and theclamp member and between the clamp member and the punch member. Inparticular, after the free end of the tape is positioned in thereceiving space defined between the main body and the clamp member,shear forces are applied to cause the clamp member to move relative tothe main body in order to secure or fixedly sandwich the tape mediabetween the main body and the clamp member. The interaction between theclamp member and the main body provides a clamping force along thatlength of the tape media held therebetween. Subsequently orsimultaneously, the punch member is moved relative to the clamp memberin a direction substantially perpendicular to the length or longitudinalextent of the tape. The punch member preferably advances through thetape media, with a portion of the punch member exiting into an enlargedopen area formed in the main body. The punch member provides a furtherholding force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthof the tape media to hold the tape media securely in place.

With respect to providing sufficient forces to cause the afore-describedrelative movements, this can be accomplished manually or automatically,such as by means of a machine that engages the necessary parts at theappropriate times and imparts the required forces for overcoming theintegrally formed connections among the parts.

In addition to securing tape media, other applications of a clampingdevice of the present invention are feasible. For example, it may bedesirable to attach an intermediate member to a clamping device in whichthe intermediate member, for example, is made of a different materialthan the clamping device. In such an embodiment, the intermediate membermight be a metal sheet that is a relatively thin but rigid material. Theclamping device includes pre-formed holes through each of which a pin iscaused to move to hold the intermediate member. Movement of the pinsoccurs after the intermediate member is positioned in a receiving spaceformed in the clamping device.

Based on the foregoing invention summary, a number of salient featuresof the present invention are readily discerned. A one-piece clampingdevice is provided for tightly securing an intermediate member, such astape media. The one-piece device for use with tape media is preferablymolded. Predetermined forces must be overcome, after an intermediatemember is positioned in the clamping device, to cause relative movementfor clamping the intermediate member. In that regard, the magnitude(s)of such forces can be varied or "tuned" to meet a desired application.Storage tape media, or another intermediate member, is secured andunwanted removal is avoided by the necessity of overcoming clamping orsecuring forces created by both the clamping interaction between themain body and the clamp member and the punch member. The relativemovements required by the parts of the clamping device can beaccomplished manually or automatically by machine. The clamping devicemay have utility in implementations other than in connection withstorage tape media. The clamping device is easy to make, readilyconnectable to tape media and securely holds the tape media in place.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become readilyapparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cartridge assembly illustratingthe leader block of the present invention connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the leader block of the presentinvention before securing the tape media thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the leader block with the tape mediasecured thereto;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken along lines 4--4 ofFIG. 2, illustrating the intermediate member receiving space and theposition of the punch member relative to the clamp member;

FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view, taken along lines 5--5 of FIG.2, further illustrating the receiving space, the positioning of thepunch member relative to the clamp member and the location of the clampmember relative to the main body before relative movements therebetween;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate the steps associated with securing tape media tothe leader block including positioning of the tape media in thereceiving space, relative movement between the clamp member and the mainbody and relative movement between the punch member and the clampmember;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken along lines 7--7 ofFIG. 3, further illustrating the securement of the tape media to theleader block;

FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view, taken along lines 8--8 of FIG.3, further illustrating the securement of the tape media to the leaderblock including the punch member inserted through a portion of the freeend of the tape media;

FIG. 9 is a front view schematically illustrating a machine for use inapplying forces to cause relative movements between the parts of theclamping device of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a clampingdevice of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a cartridge assembly 20 is illustrated andincludes a cartridge housing 24 for containing storage tape media 28that is typically found within the housing 24. The storage tape media isused to store information that has been written on the tape media. Theinformation stored on the tape media 28 is accessible for reading theinformation therefrom. Any one of a number of commercially availableapparatuses can be used in reading/writing digital information, forexample, relative to the storage tape media 28.

The tape media 28 has a free end 32 that extends outwardly from thecartridge housing 24 and is connected to the leader block 36 of thepresent invention. The leader block 36 acts as a connector to anapparatus that is used in connection with the transferring of data orother information relative to the storage tape media 28.

Referring to FIG. 2, the leader block 36 includes a main body 40 and aclamp member 44. The main body 40 includes an end section that has aU-shaped configuration, in cross-section. This configuration has firstand second walls 48, 50 that define an open area 54 or cavity formed inthe main body 40. With the clamp member 44 joined to the main body 40, areceiving space 58 exists for receiving an intermediate member, such asthe storage tape media 28.

The clamp member 44 includes a first or upper peripheral edge 62 and asecond or lower peripheral edge 66, each of which extends along thelength of the clamp member 44. Each of the two peripheral edges 62, 66has alternating ridges and openings or slots formed therein, with thefirst peripheral edge 62 having alternating ridges 70 and slots 74,while the second peripheral edge 66 has alternating ridges 78 and slots82.

The leader block 36 also includes a punch member 86 joined to an outersurface of the clamp member 44, although the punch member could bejoined to the main body 40. The main body 40, clamp member 44 and punchmember 86 are preferably integrally formed as a one-piece unit. Theleader block 36 is preferably made by molding whereby the entire, singleunit can be made during one molding process.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the interconnection among the parts ofthe leader block 36 are better illustrated. As seen in FIG. 4, thereceiving space 58 is created by the cooperation between the clampmember 44 and the main body 40, particularly the open area 54 of themain body 40. That is, with part of the clamp member 44 extending intothe open area 54, an inner wall surface of the clamp member 44 and abottom surface of the open area 54 define the receiving space 58. Asalso seen in FIG. 4, the punch member 86 is positioned in a bore hole 90that extends through the clamp member 44 and communicates with a throughhole 94 formed in the main body 40. The through hole 94 has an enlargedarea 98 that terminates at an outer surface of the main body 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the peripheral edge 62 of the clamp member 44has front portions 102 and back portions 106. The main body 40 firstwall 48 has an inner face 112 with front portions 116 and back portions120. When the leader block 36 is integrally formed, the back portions106 of the peripheral edge 62 are joined to the front portions 116 ofthe inner face 112 of the main body 40. More specifically, back portionsof the ridges 70 of the first peripheral edge 62 are connected to theinner surface 112 of the first wall 48. As should be understood, theextent of the joining or connection between the peripheral edge 62 andthe inner surface of the first wall 48 establishes the amount of shearforce required to break or severe any such connection. The size of theconnection depends upon the magnitude of the surface area attachmentbetween the inner surface of the first wall 48 and the ridges 70. Alarger area of connection generally means a greater force that must beovercome to sever the attachment between the main body 40 and the clampmember 44.

Likewise, the inner surface of the second wall 50 is joined to thesecond peripheral edge 66, with back portions of the second peripheraledge 66 being joined to front portions of the inner surface of thesecond wall 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6D, the clamping or joining of an intermediatemember, such as the storage tape media 28, to the leader block 36 isillustrated. As seen in FIG. 6A, the free end 32 of the tape media 28 ispositioned to be inserted into the receiving space 58 formed in theleader block 36. The free end 32 is inserted into the receiving space 58and is positioned between the clamp member 44 and the main body 40, asseen in FIG. 6B. At this stage, the tape media 28 is properly positionedfor joining or clamping it to the leader block 36. The clamping of thetape media 28 to the leader block 36 is illustrated in FIGS. 6C-6D. Asillustrated in FIG. 6C, the clamp member 44 is caused to move relativeto the main body 40. In so doing, the connection between the ridges 70and the inner surface of the first wall 48, together with that betweenthe ridges 78 and the inner surface of the second wall 50, are broken orsevered by applying sufficient shearing forces to the clamp member 44.Once sufficient shearing force is applied, the clamp member 44 is ableto move relative to the first and second walls 48, 50 towards the tapemedia free end 32 in order to clamp or sandwich the free end 32 to theleader block 36. In connection with the step of FIG. 6C, the tape media28 is now secured to the leader block 36 to keep the tape media free end32 flat and taut. Removal of the free end 32 is opposed by the clampingforces provided by the cooperation between the main body 40 and theclamp member 44. As illustrated in FIG. 6D, a force is applied to thepunch member 86, which is sufficient to overcome the engagement betweenlower end portions thereof and the inner wall of the bore hole 90. Sucha force causes the punch member 86 to move towards and in contact withthe tape media free end 32. Continued application of the force causesportions of the punch member 86 to punch a hole through the free end 32.Such lower portions of the punch member 86 continue to move into thethrough hole 94 and then the enlarged open area 98 provided in the mainbody 40. The punch member 86 further provides a connection that opposesany pulling force that might attempt to remove the tape media 28 fromthe leader block 36. The punch member 86 also firmly aligns the clampmember 44 to the main body 40.

With regard to illustrations showing the tape media 28 clamped to theleader block 36, reference is made to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8. As seen in FIG.3, the tape media 28 is connected to the leader block 36, with the punchmember 86 having been caused to move from its outward position to aposition engaging the free end 32 of the tape media 28. As seen in FIG.7, the storage tape media 28 is clamped or sandwiched between the mainbody 40 and the clamp member 44. The clamp member 44 outside surface issubstantially flush with the adjacent outer surface portions of the mainbody 40. Likewise, the outer surface of the punch member 86 is flushwith the clamp member 44 outside surface. The opposite end of the punchmember 86 is received in the enlarged area 98 and this end is below thesurface of the main body 40.

As seen in FIG. 8, the first peripheral edge 62 now has its backportions 106 contiguously adjacent to the back portions 120 of the innerface of the first wall 48. The front portions 102 of the firstperipheral edge 62 are contiguously adjacent to the front portions 116of the inner face 112 of the first wall 48. Similarly, front and backportions of the peripheral edge 66 on the clamp member 44 are alignedwith front and back portions of the inner face of the second wall 50. Inthe clamping configurations of FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen thatclamping forces are applied by inner surfaces of the main body 44 andthe clamp member 40 and an additional resisting force results from thepunch member 86 that was caused to move through the free end 32 of thetape media 28. These forces resist any opposing force that attempts toremove or pull the tape media 28 from the leader block 36 in a directionalong the length of the tape media 28.

With regard to mechanisms for causing the desired relative movements ofthe parts of the leader block 36, such can be accomplished manuallyusing a suitable tool or tools that engage one or more of the parts ofthe leader block 36. In one embodiment, clamping of the free end of thestorage tape media can be accomplished automatically or virtuallyautomatically. Referring to FIG. 9, a clamping mechanism 130 isschematically illustrated. The clamping mechanism 130 includes anactuator 134 that applies a force to a pair of rods 138, 142. The rods138, 142 are suitably positioned relative to the clamp member 44 sothat, when the rods 138, 142 are caused to move towards the clamp member44, the rods 138, 142 impart a force that overcomes or severs theConnection between the clamp member 44 and the main body 40. The rods138, 142 continue their movement until the clamp member 44 securelyclamps or sandwiches the tape media 28 between the clamp member 44 andthe main body 40. After that, the force applied to the actuator 134 isremoved and the springs 146, 150 enable the rods 138, 142, respectively,to return to their initial starting position. Simultaneously orsubsequently, the cylinder 154 has a force applied thereto such that itmoves in the same direction as the rods 138, 142, but engages the punchmember 86 and causes it to move relative to the clamp member 44 throughthe storage tape media 28. With regard to the cylinder 154 applying aforce at the same time as the rods 138, 142, the actuator 134 isconnected to the cylinder 154 so that the actuator 134 causes all ofthese members to move at the same time. In such a case, the clampingmechanism 130 is configured such that the cylinder 154 has caused thepunch member 86 to stop at a desired position at the same time the clampmember 44 is at a desired position relative to the main body 40. Whenthis occurs, the force applied to the actuator 134 is removed and thesprings 146, 150 act to return the rods and cylinder to their startingpositions.

Although the description of the invention has so far been described asbeing for use in connecting storage tape media to a leader block, arelated embodiment can be devised for holding an intermediate memberrelative to a clamping device, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.The clamping device 160 includes a body member 164 having a channel 168provided along one edge of the body member 164. The channel 168 isbounded by first and second legs 172, 176 that are integral with thebody member 164. Joined to the upper surface of the first or upper leg172 is one or more pins 178, 180. Formed through the second or lower leg176 are bore holes 184, 188 that are aligned with the pins 178, 180,respectively. An intermediate member 192 is provided for receipt by thechannel 168. In one embodiment, the intermediate member 192 is a pieceof sheet metal having holes 196, 200 formed through the sheet metal atpredetermined locations. The predetermined locations correspond to thenumber of pins 178, 180. To clamp the sheet metal 192 to the clampingdevice 160, the sheet metal is positioned in the channel 168 such thatthe holes 196, 200 are aligned with the pins 178, 180, respectively.Subsequently, the pins 178, 180 are caused to move through the holes196, 200 in the intermediate member 192 and continue into the bore holes184, 188, respectively. The insertion of the pins 178, 180 through theintermediate member 192 acts to hold or clamp the intermediate member192 to the clamping device 160. In one applicable embodiment, theclamping device 160 is made from a material different from the materialfrom which the intermediate member 192 is made. For example, theintermediate member 192 is a metal sheet, while the clamping device ismade from plastic or some other non-metallic material. In thisembodiment, the connection or clamping forces are supplied solely byusing the pins 178, 180 and there is no lateral movement of parts tocreate a sandwiching or clamping of the intermediate member 192, as inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the form disclosed therein. Consequently,variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, andthe skill or knowledge in the relevant art, are within the presentinvention. The embodiments described hereinabove are intended to explainthe known modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilledin the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with thevarious modifications required by their particular applications or usesof the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination clamping device and intermediatemember, comprising:a main body including a top portion, a bottom wall,and a first side wall that includes said top portion; a clamp memberincluding upper side edges, lower side edges, and a bottom; a punchmember integrally joined to one of said main body and said clamp member;and an intermediate member to be clamped between said main body and saidclamp member; wherein said main body, said clamp member and said punchmember are in first positions in which at least portions of said clampmember lower side edges are integrally connected to said main body topportion, an intermediate space thereby being defined by said bottom walland said first side wall of said main body and said bottom of said clampmember, said intermediate member being received in said intermediatespace, and wherein a shear force required to sever said integralconnection between said clamp member and said main body depends upon anarea of connection between said main body top portion and said portionsof said clamp member lower side edges, and wherein said punch member andat least one of said main body and said clamp member are movable tosecond positions after said integral connection is severed to capturesaid intermediate member and, in said second positions, saidintermediate member is clamped between said bottom wall of said mainbody and said bottom of said clamp member, said punch member is locatedthrough said intermediate member, said clamp member lower side edges areadjacent to said main body bottom wall, and said clamp member upper sideedges are adjacent to said main body top portion.
 2. A device, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein:said main body comprises a substantiallyflat member with walls opposite side integrally joined to sides of saidflat member to define a U-shape.
 3. A device, as claimed in claim 1,wherein:said clamp member upper and lower side edges include a pluralityof ridges comprising at least a first ridge and at least a first slotadjacent to said first ridge.
 4. A device, as claimed in claim 1,wherein:said main body, said clamp member and said punch member arecomponents of a unitary molded unit and said intermediate member isstorage tape media.
 5. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:saidpunch member is joined to said clamp member and said clamp member ismovable relative to said main body after said intermediate member ispositioned therebetween.